Descriptive: Tangible to Figurative

• Descriptive writing, or "showing writing," begins with a tangible subject and progresses into figurative detail. The writer starts with a person, place, object or event. Then, the writer uses sensory details and figurative language to describe the tangible subject. In its most basic form, descriptive writing relies on adjectives to explain the subject's properties and adverbs to describe the subject's actions. In its highest form, descriptive writing includes elaborate details that allow the reader to form a thorough picture of what the writer wishes to convey.
  
  

Descriptive Writing Examples

• An example of descriptive writing is, "The long vines wound up the side of the dull red brick wall in a mass of tangled, vibrant green, extending past the house's second story windows." In contrast, "The house had vines growing on it" does not provide enough detail to qualify as true descriptive writing. Another example of descriptive writing is, "He bashfully gave his beloved a bouquet of twelve bright tulips, in joyful hues of red, yellow and purple. She gleefully inhaled their scent, enjoying the light, fresh scent reminiscent of spring."
  
  

Illustrative: Figurative to Tangible

• Illustrative writing starts with a figurative concept or idea and moves into tangible, accessible detail. The writer takes an argument, generally accepted truth or abstraction and illustrates that concept through story and example. The reader reaches an understanding about the intangible concept by processing and relating to these examples, which frame the abstract idea in concrete, clear and often familiar detail.
  
  

Illustrative Writing Examples

• An example of illustrative writing is, "Bob has antisocial tendencies. Last Friday, his friend invited him to a party, but he opted to stay home. The day after, he avoided going to the grocery store because the store seemed too crowded." In this example, having antisocial tendencies presents an abstract argument. The details that follow provide concrete evidence to support the initial argument. Similarly, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Both mother and daughter enjoy sewing, reading and biking. Both father and son hate sweet snacks but love salty foods." The proverb about the apple stands as a figurative statement. The details about parents and children justify the statement using tangible examples.